CPC A61B 1/233 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00135 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01); A61B 1/267 (2013.01); A61B 17/24 (2013.01); A61B 17/2804 (2013.01); A61B 17/282 (2013.01); A61B 17/3421 (2013.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.02); A61B 90/50 (2016.02); A61M 29/02 (2013.01); A61B 1/0051 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3447 (2013.01); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2055 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2065 (2016.02); A61B 2090/063 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61B 90/361 (2016.02); A61B 2090/376 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3941 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3954 (2016.02); A61M 2029/025 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0681 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient, the shaft being configured to form a bend and maintain a selected bend angle at the bend while being inserted into the nasal cavity;
(b) a balloon positioned at a distal end of the shaft, the balloon defining a distal end and a proximal end along the shaft, the balloon being configured to transition between a non-inflated state and an inflated state, the balloon in the non-inflated state being configured to fit in a passageway associated with a nasal sinus cavity, the balloon in the inflated state being configured to dilate the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and
(c) a first position sensor positioned within the balloon, the first position sensor being operable for generating a signal indicating a position of the balloon within the nasal cavity of the patient;
the method comprising:
(a) inserting the shaft into the nasal cavity while the balloon is in the non-inflated state;
(b) positioning the balloon in the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and
(c) transitioning the balloon from the non-inflated state to the inflated state, such that the balloon in the inflated state dilates the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity.
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